Manchester United ‘s iconic No 7 shirt was too big for Memphis Depay so could Alexis Sanchez be heir to George Best, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona?

Since 2009, four men have inherited legendary number and failed to emulate previous 50 years of glory

Feature

By Andrew Richardson

16th January 2018, 8:44 am

Updated: 10th February 2018, 10:21 am

SHOULD they finally get the deal over the line, it is likely Alexis Sanchez will get the hallowed No 7 shirt at Manchester United.

But that has not proven a good omen in recent seasons with Memphis Depay was the latest player crumble under the pressure of its history.

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Alexis Sanchez could get No 7 shirt if he joins Manchester United

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Memphis Depay is latest player to suffer curse of Manchester United No.7 shirt

For 50 years, the club’s icon bore that shirt with pride, and did it justice.

But since Cristiano Ronaldo donned it for the final time in 2009, no one has dealt with the burden of expectation.

Memphis was immediately handed the No.7 jersey by Louis van Gaal but, despite the hype surrounding his arrival, it was just constant disappointment for the Dutchman, and he left to join Lyon 12 months ago.

The famous shirt has been vacant since.

Here, SunSport takes a look back at the superstars to wear the hallowed shirt — and the sharp decline in success.

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STRIP TEASE

Troublemaker

George Best — 1963-74

Getty Images

George Best celebrates his goal against Benfica in 1968 European Cup final

In an era where shirt numbers were not assigned, Best donned it in 141 of his 474 games.

In 1966, he wore it in what is generally considered his greatest-ever performance, netting twice as United battered the great Benfica 5-1 in Lisbon — and against the same opponents in the European Cup final two years later.

Cristiano Ronaldo — 2003-09

Cristiano Ronaldo was handed No.7 shirt at age of 18 and thrived in it

Replaced Beckham and, at the tender of age of 18, was handed the most prestigious shirt at the club.

But Ronaldo thrived under the pressure and went from strength-to-strength.

Won a trophy in all but one season and became United’s fourth Ballon d’Or winner.

Success at United

Appearances — 292
Goals — 118
Premier League (3) — 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09
FA Cup — 2003-04
League Cup (2) — 2005-06, 2008-09
Champions League — 2007-08
Fifa Club World Cup — 2008
Ballon d'Or — 2008
Fifa World Player of the Year — 2008
Football Writers' Player of the Year (2) — 2006-07, 2007-08
PFA Players' Player of the Year (2) — 2006-07, 2007-08
PFA Players' Young Player of the Year award — 2006-07
Ballon d'Or runner up — 2007, 2009
Fifa World Player of the Year runner-up — 2007, 2009

Michael Owen — 2009-12

Times Newspapers Ltd

Michael Owen wasn't the worst player, but never justified No.7 shirt

In the whole of world football, only Lionel Messi would have been fit to fill the huge chasm left behind by Ronaldo in 2009.

Injury-prone Owen was nearly 30, had just been released by recently-relegated Newcastle and was only signed as back-up after United had missed out on Karim Benzema.

Highs included a last-gasp derby winner, League Cup final goal and Champions League hat-trick, but never came close to doing the No.7 shirt justice.